Smoky Ridge

Candy Sellers

CANDY SELLERS

There have been kids selling candy to "help keep them off drugs and off the streets" in the past and with the warmer weather coming, more will probably come. Dateline NBC recently ran an expose on this type of candy-selling operation (see their web site at www.msnbc.com/news/DATELINE_front.asp). According to Dateline, many candy-sellers work for candy producers who use all the money for profit rather than charity. Customers may get confused by the sales' pitch or the candy box which is often covered by slogans such as "Say no to gangs, to drugs, to crime." Disclaimers may be printed below in much smaller type which say that the above statement is arbitrary and that the sales are for profit. One question is whether the candy sellers or producers are breaking any laws. There are state and federal labor laws designed to protect children from abuse on the job, working late hours, or from being unsupervised. The U.S. Labor Department says most candy kids are under the age of 13, and some as young as eight.

So how can you tell if the child at your door is working for a real charity?

--Ask plenty of questions. The National Consumers' League says if you haven't heard of the charity, or if the child isn't accompanied by an adult, be suspicious.

--Ask questions, if the charity is legitimate, they will welcome discussion.

--Ask for identification including name and address Don't be fooled by a sympathetic sounding name.

--Ask if the organization is licensed by state and local authorities. All charitable organizations are required to register.

--Ask if your contribution is tax-deductible.

Call State Attorney General's office or local Better Business Bureau is they use pressure tactics or fraudulent charitable information, or call the Department of Labor, Child Labor Division if you believe that child labor laws may be in violation.

Source: The Better Business Bureau and the Internet Nonprofit center